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... the anterior blade surface, which is the result of a slightly raised shoulder, this feature is seen in the Cook island adzes but is more exaggerated, this feature is not evident in the more modern tools and would tend to argue for an older period. Another remarkable feature is the continuation of a shoulder like separation of the butt on the sides and around to the bottom. This is actually the dividing line between the extensively pecked and the fully ground surfaces. This is another feature of the highly finished Cook Islands adzes and can be seen in the Raivavae adzes and may be a late feature. All considered this adze may be fairly recent and it is not an isolated example as I was told that cache similar adzes was discovered at this site, part of which is now in the Collection of A. Viriamu. It is not inconceivable that this adze may be in fact part of that cache. I have perhaps omitted a number of important observations one is the utter absence of chipping scars with the exception of the poll area, a very slight amount of squaring in the poll (not shown in the cross section as it is almost immeasurable and only barely evident). This however becomes a more recognizable feature in more modern pieces. The very high shoulder further augmented by the angular butt. And finally a slightly less than straight cutting edge which is actually somewhat opposite to the usual convexity (longitudinally concave) with the bevel slightly concave transversely (only near the cutting edge). The designation of 3Fa is based on the qualifying rounded butt cross section. Although the adze is actually a blend of the two traditions and not actually one or the other, i.e. it does not closely resemble a 3F, yet it is placed within that grouping. In terms of cutting edge and bevel angle the adze would undoubtedly be more comparable to the 3A family. A local person has suggested that the large 3F adzes were used for cutting down trees, this I find as confirmation of my own speculation that these adzes replaced the large 4A Koma type adzes which were used for the same purpose. This then suggests that the 3A adzes which may have been present from an early period, continued in use while the 3F replaced the 4A. Thus we find the 3A and the 3F both in production at the same time. The obvious conclusion being then that the preference of the hafting system for the 3F adzes and their typically rounded butt was applied to the 3A forms. Therefore this adze from the TIIRUA site may in fact be an example of this evolved hafting technology. It is my impression that this simple rounded butt could be the most evolved and practical type which perhaps also allowed the adze to be rotated in its haft and thus used as a side hafted or reverse hafted adze. |
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